An attempt to help explain the mysteries and magic that are part and parcel of 'probation'.

Sunday, 8 December 2013

"It is what it is"

I think it's always worth passing on details of what's going on in London and here's the upbeat message from the new management, followed by the latest from the indomitable Pat Waterman, Chair of Napo Greater London branch:-Introducing ourselves: the London NPS and CRC leadersFrom Sara Robinson, Deputy Director - London National Probation Service, and Nick Smart, Chief Executive of the London Community Rehabilitation Company

Following our first brief message to you earlier this week, we wanted to introduce ourselves to you properly and also let you have a bit more information about our plans.

Our biographies are available via the link below – as you can see, we both have a strong track record in probation and a passion for quality practice and enabling change. We look forward to building on the excellent work and best practice already demonstrated by LPT staff.

We are committed to working together to ensure that the transition to the National Probation Service and the London Community Rehabilitation Company is as smooth and safe as possible and we will be relying on your insight and knowledge to help achieve this. Achieving this transition safely in London is a major challenge which has significance for Probation as a whole and it will be vital that we set up clear arrangements for how the two organisations will interact. Like you, we are concerned to make sure that we continue to provide excellent services to victims, courts and service users and that we maintain and develop partnerships with other agencies. You are the experts on what you will need in order to carry out your jobs effectively in the new structures and we are keen to listen to your questions and suggestions.

We will both be meeting ACOs and Heads of Departments as soon as possible to start this discussion and we will be building on the planning that is already under way in LPT, including the operational working groups involving frontline staff. We want to hear your views on how to continue to develop good practice and we don't want to disrupt what's already working well.

Click here for our biographies: S:\LondonSharedInformation\Londoni\Transforming Rehabilitation\BiographiesThis is Pat Waterman's latest thinking on things:-TO NAPO MEMBERSThere is nothing like an LPT RoadshowFollowing the decision of the Probation Board last weekto instruct the Chief Executive to begin arrangements for the closure of LPT and the creation of the NPS and CRC's, the Senior Management Team (SMT) held three roadshows today at which they sought to address your concerns and give you some ideas about your futures.

I attended the first one this morning and heard various members of staff asking a number of questions which sadly our Chief Executive was unable to answer. The phrase she used several times which sticks in my mind is:

“IT IS WHAT IT IS”.

When Chris Grayling launched a consultation exercise at the beginning of the year LPT submitted evidence which pointed out the problems and pitfalls of “splitting” the service. At that point their views were not very different from ours.

But now I find that they are seeking to encourage you to think positively about the benefits that will derive from splitting the service; the extent to which as a civil servant in the NPS other opportunities will be available to you and the scope for new and innovative ways of working in the private sector.What changed?

Heather Munro was clearly discomforted by my asking her why, if both the NPS and CRC’s were going to offer such wonderful opportunities, she herself had declined to take advantage of them. Her response was that given her age she had decided to take advantage of the opportunity to take Voluntary Redundancy.

Having witnessed the unedifying spectacle of seeing them try to defend the indefensible, I was allowed to address the staff group once SMT had left the room. In my view everyone had just been treated to an extended farewell from the Chief Executive and a promotional presentation on behalf of the Secretary of State and I took advantage of the opportunity to give staff some further information. I felt it was the least I could do.

Having been told to temper the tone of my message I was allowed ten minutes to address the participants of the second roadshow of the day. This time what I had to say was, with my agreement I hasten to add, delivered in the presence of SMT.By the time the third roadshow came around a previous agreement that I could speak to people at the end had been reconsidered. It was now felt that what I had to say undermined the message that SMT were seeking to promulgate and it would be best if I did not attend.

AND SO IT BEGINS

I am aware that attendance at these roadshows is deemed to be mandatory and far be it for me to advise anyone to disobey a management instruction.

BUT, in following the guidance on implementing NAPO’s industrial action, you might wish to discuss with your line manager if going to one of these roadshows is the best use of your time and seek advice on what should be relinquished to enable you to attend.I have already received correspondence from members on the content of the e-mails sent out by LPT introducing the Deputy Director (NPS) and Chief Executive (CRC) for London. The feeling I am getting from members is that they do not share the enthusiasm of Sara Robinson and Nick Smart.

You will also have just received a letter, via LPT e-mail, from the Secretary of State which Ian Lawrence, NAPO General Secretary, has referred to as:

“somewhat patronising and untrue........(and) merely the grim output of the MoJ public relations department”

His advice is to ignore it and that he will be responding to it formally.

We are in a war of words.

I am disappointed to be denied the opportunity to talk to LPT staff, many of whom are members of this branch, at today’s final roadshow.

Heather Munro has, in my opinion, placed herself in what is clearly a personally uncomfortable position. That’s not my fault.

17 comments:

As of 1 April 2014, I will be moved to the CRC. My work will remain with the NPS. I am being moved simply because corporate services are being moved to the CRC. Who will do my work after 1 April, I have no idea. Given that reaching national agreement has failed and I am signing a blank cheque in terms of reassignment and the news now that MPs will be receiving their payrises, I am already at a low point and fear for my future - one in which I envision not having a job for too much longer (these new 'opportunities' are a myth for all but the senior managers). All of this also made me wonder how long it will be before some of Probation colleagues, defeated by anger, stress and anxiety, take irreversible decisions because they can no longer cope and meet the requirements of every day life. We saw it during and after the crash of 2008. I wonder whether Mr Grayling et al will continue with their flippant attitude to people's lives be it employees, the public or our service users.

"All of this also made me wonder how long it will be before some of Probation colleagues, defeated by anger, stress and anxiety, take irreversible decisions because they can no longer cope and meet the requirements of every day life."

Exactly - lets look out for each other, talk about things, share worries and concerns. New media, twitter, facebook, forums, blogs are all valuable additions to the more traditional methods such as a chat and a drink. The latter is actually my preferred method, but there's only so many evenings in a week. Try not to feel alone in all this because none of us are. There's real power in sharing.

Ruled by wealthy autocrats who have no idea about real life and who no doubt see millions of people struggling to feed their families while they gorge themselves as the right order of things. Mr Grayling my family exists on an annual salary roughly equivalent to the price of that essential new bathroom of yours. Where is your sense of integrity? What shallow principle props up your deluded self importance? You have always hated us. Being reasonable people, we are only now realising just how vile and vindictive your governance is.

Victims of crime face a ‘cruel postcode lottery’ to get help under plans that have triggered a fierce row between London Mayor Boris Johnson and Ministers.Johnson has blasted the Ministry of Justice for reforms that will hand out victim support budgets according to how many people live in each area, not by local crime rates.Mr Johnson’s officials believe each crime victim in the capital will get the equivalent of £24 worth of support, while those living in the countryside could get up to £166 per head.

In a letter seen by The Mail on Sunday, Mr Johnson wrote to Justice Secretary Chris Grayling: ‘I am disappointed that the allocation has not been more intelligently crafted because there is now a real risk that funding levels will not match demand in London.’

There is no agency that comes under the MoJ that isn't being destroyed and left in tatters. Isn't it time that all those agencies, police, laywers, probation etc came together and called for Graylings resignation? He either doesn't know the devestation and dangers he's creating, or he does know and doesn't care. Neither is acceptable and he should be removed from office for reasons of public safety.

I thought I would add my story to the collection here. A story collection which will stand as testament to the real effect of TR and the rushed and hashed handling of it. 6 months ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Best time of my life..or should have been. For the last 3 months or so (until this week) I was sent 3 copies a week (and latterly 2 copies a week) of our weekly bulletin, such that I received it Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week. In it were job vacancies (Cardiff mostly) and I live near Newtown, Powys. Also within the bulletins were links to TR information on the intranet which I do not have access to, being on maternity leave. I did sometimes receive extra material on TR but, many times, had to request the material in the links to be sent to me. So I have felt confused and in the dark on many occasions. I have spent between 3 and 10 hours every week reading through and making sense of this material. This has meant time not spent concentrating on my baby boy who incidentally is patient beyond belief. I feel guilty about that. I didn't receive any information this week. No surprise there. My EOI letter I sent back and noted on it my situation and confusion. I note that the last sentence (right before my signature) said that I am not guaranteed a job in either NPS or CRC. So I have a 6 month baby boy to care for, it's Christmas, and I have no notion of whether I will have an income post April 2014. I was going to post this anonymously but, that just makes me a wispy figure that government can tell itself may not really exist. Well I do exist, my concerns are genuine. My baby son is real and I am really frightened about the future. I feel drained by this. This has been an appalling way to treat loyal and hard working staff in my opinion. My motivation to rejoin probation is rock bottom currently. This is the real human cost of TR.

Anna Marie,I feel for what you are going through and it makes me sick with anger that your life and dreams are being disrupted by the warped plans of one man. Remember this ...I have met no one who thinks this TR nonsense is a good idea and there are many of us who will fight and fight against this idealogically driven agenda. You are not alone!

“Following our first brief message to you earlier this week, we wanted to introduce ourselves to you properly and also let you have a bit more information about our plans.” - You mean the Government plans.“we both have a strong track record in probation and a passion for quality practice and enabling change. We look forward to building on the excellent work and best practice already demonstrated by LPT staff.” – I’m actually sick and tired of hearing about best practice and excellent work. Don’t you flipping get it moral is low. Are you both on drugs or something – you don’t understand that.“Achieving this transition safely in London is a major challenge which has significance for Probation as a whole and it will be vital that we set up clear arrangements for how the two organisations will interact.”- I can tell you now, no way I will be helping you to interact. You can dam well expect mistakes. That’s what managers get paid to do ‘to manage’, so you manage the crap.“You are the experts on what you will need in order to carry out your jobs effectively in the new structures and we are keen to listen to your questions and suggestions.” - have you not been listening. What planet are you both on. Telling you it won’t work, and if you dare manipulate information to say it does, you will exposed in public & through the media. “We want to hear your views on how to continue to develop good practice and we don't want to disrupt what's already working well” – fairly simple scrap TR plans NOW

Jim - Apologies for using this blog as a forum to disseminate the letter below, but I know of no other means to publish it or imagine it might actually reach the PM or DPM. I am too afraid of the NOMS bullies to go public (I have had past experience and it wasn't nice - they are ruthless). If its not appropriate to leave on this blog, please feel free to remove it._____________________________________________________________

Open Comments/Questions to the Prime Minister & Deputy Prime Minister

Why are you allowing Chris Grayling to destroy the Probation Service? Why are you allowing the MoJ, with Grayling & Wright as the prime political movers, to persist in ruining not only an honourable and much admired profession but also to destroy the careers of many professionals who have committed years to training and their work.

The MoJ and their agents (especially NOMS) have been dishonest in their actions, disingenuous in their claims and utterly dismissive of the concerns raised with them by a range of highly qualified critics. They have refused to discuss or disclose the risk assessments, they deny access to important information requested by Parliamentarians and they have ridden roughshod over national negotiations, imagining they can simply impose their will because they believe its right – irrespective of any advice to the contrary.

The impact upon all probation staff throughout England and Wales is profound. The MoJ must have begun to realise they would haemorrhage the legacy of knowledge and experience with the staff who will choose to leave; I suspect that’s why they withdrew what they described as the “generous” Voluntary Redundancy package.

As of now (given the staff looking at leaving due to the lack of any hope for a future career that is meaningful) this country is left with the prospect of very limited and inexperienced provision of the necessary supervision and rehabilitation of those who have committed offences. It is a dangerous and stupid option to pursue, not least because there is a hundred years of experience and history being flushed away.

If you would take the trouble to visit the blog site “On Probation” you will read the many accounts of dismay, despair and fury – not only at the principle of privatising this key service, but also at the bullying and ignorant behaviour by Ministers of the Crown in their blinkered desire to ensure they get their way - and the impact that has had upon real people.

The costs of the research, the papers, the PR and the administration of Grayling’s “Transforming Rehabilitation” programme must far outweigh the costs he claims to be saving the public purse? How much, for example, has it cost in terms of civil servants and researchers’ time to prepare for TR? How much has it cost in terms of meetings, seminars and bidding events, wooing the private sector with slick presentations at London venues? How much has it cost in terms of meetings with Trust staff, who have had to travel to London on a regular basis so they can be berated and bullied into doing the Minister’s bidding? Why wasn’t any of that money or time invested in the existing Gold Standard Probation Service?

Probation staff use a range of techniques when working with their clients – one of which is known as ‘pro-social modelling’. You might want to take a look at the principles and practice of pro-social modelling, then see how the behaviours of Grayling et al compare – and how they reflect upon your Government’s attitudes.

I regret I am publishing this anonymously, but I fear reprisals from the bullies that inhabit the MoJ, and NOMS in particular.

Thank you for reading this letter. I will endeavour to share it as widely as possible in the hope it will eventually land on your desks.

It's My Blog

Welcome to the wonderful world of probation! These are the personal thoughts of an ordinary probation officer struggling to come to terms with constant change, whilst trying to do a useful job for society. Sadly, change is so often obviously not progress. I am fully aware that my views do not represent official policy of government, my Service or possibly anyone else - but hey - it's my blog!

ATV 1962 Windsor Davies

About Me

A grumpy, disillusioned, CQSW trained, generic, main grade probation officer based in a small English town. All my contemporaries have either left, retired or been promoted. Newer colleagues simply don't understand the journey I've been on from advise, assist and befriend. (If there is anyone of similar name in the NAPO handbook, it's not me).